DIPHENHYDRAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE ("BENADRYL HYDROCHLORIDE")

Abstract

Recent investigation has shown diphenhydramine hydrochloride (dimethylaminoethyl benzohydryl ether hydrochloride, "benadryl hydrochloride" N. N. R.) to be an efficient histamine antagonist and an antispasmodic of low toxicity. Loew¹and his associates demonstrated that fatal bronchoconstriction and symptoms of anaphylactic shock following the inhalation of histamine could be prevented in guinea pigs by prior administration of the drug. Elias and McGavack²were able to suppress completely the sensitivity of the skin to histamine, as expressed by the wheal and flare reaction, by the oral use of 150 to 300 mg. of the drug daily in nonallergic persons. Feinberg and Friedlander³were able to prevent the appearance of dermographism, which was an obstacle in the performance of skin tests in allergic persons, by giving the antihistaminic agent orally prior to the tests. This did not interfere with the interpretation of the cutaneous tests. The same authors⁴later observed